Article: USDA denies request to delay almond pasteurization rule

[Guest guest]

USDA denies request to delay almond pasteurization rule

By Juliana Barbassa Associated Press Writer

Article Launched: 08/20/2007 06:46:10 PM PDT

 

SAN FRANCISCO—A new rule requiring all California almonds to be

pasteurized will go into effect Sept. 1, despite farmers' requests to

postpone the provision for six months, federal agricultural officials

said.

 

The growers, represented by the California Almond Board, said they

needed the extra time to get the necessary equipment and processes in

place to avoid an interruption in the flow of nuts to market.

 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's decision to implement the rule

stemmed from salmonella outbreaks in 2001 and 2004 that were traced

to raw almonds.

 

[Jeff: that should be: " traced to raw CONVENTIONAL almonds. "

 

....The pasteurization process, also used to sterilize milk, juice and

eggs, typically exposes the shelled and hulled nuts to a moist burst

of steam, which heats their surface to about 200 degrees, killing any

pathogens present. An alternative sterilization process sends the

almonds into a chamber where they're sprayed with a gas.

 

 

Full story:

http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_6674058?nclick_check=1